IDF Chief Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir hails a hard-won hostage return agreement as a direct product of relentless battlefield pressure — but warns troops to stay ready.
In a high-stakes field tour in the Gaza Strip on Thursday, Chief of the General Staff LTG Eyal Zamir — flanked by Southern Command Commander MG Yaniv Asor, Head of the Intelligence Directorate MG Shlomi Binder, Head of the Technological and Logistics Directorate MG Rami Abudraham, and other senior commanders — received the IDF’s operational assessment and the plan for implementing the newly signed agreement for the return of hostages.
Zamir made clear that the agreement is not a standalone diplomatic win but the direct outcome of sustained, decisive military pressure on the battlefield. “The signing of the agreement for the return of the hostages this morning is a beacon of light for all of us and further demonstrates the achievements of the ground operation. Thanks to significant military pressure and a powerful and high-quality ground operation, you, the troops, created the conditions for the return of the hostages home. Our military activity produced a political achievement; that achievement is first and foremost yours.”
Honouring sacrifice was central to his message. Zamir invoked the memory of the fallen and the suffering of bereaved families, stressing that the hostages’ return was only possible because soldiers, commanders and civilians “risked their lives.” He framed the moment as both a national relief and a solemn reminder of the price paid for security.
At the same time, Zamir underlined that operational momentum must be matched by discipline and readiness. The IDF will continue to complete missions on the ground in the hours ahead of the ceasefire, he said, calling for a measured, professional transition: “These are historic days — we must manage the transition to a ceasefire in a measured, professional and orderly manner. The safety of our troops is at the top of the operational priority list.”
Finally, he warned against complacency: as Israel watches the screens and celebrates the release, the enemy “has not disappeared.” “Our work is not yet finished; we will not rest until we see our last hostage returned, the fallen given burial, and we ensure the security of the State of Israel,” Zamir vowed — a clear mandate to sustain pressure while safeguarding troops and civilians as the ceasefire takes effect.
